Human Resource Education

Department Head: Scott D. Johnson
Director of Graduate Programs: K. Peter Kuchinke
Correspondence and Admission Information: Laura Irle
351 Education Building
1310 South Sixth Street
Champaign, IL 61820
(217)333-0807
hre@uiuc.edu

Degrees granted: EdM, MA, MS, CAS, EdD, PhD
Major: Human Resource Education

Graduate Degree Programs

Degree programs in the Department of Human Resource Education are designed to meet academic and professional interests of individuals preparing for careers as adult educators, college professors, corporate trainers, instructional designers/technologists, and organization development specialists. The department offers both on-campus and online master's degrees with emphasis on either human resource development (HRD) or community college teaching and learning (CCTL). At the doctoral level, students can choose to work with faculty who specialize in a variety of areas including training and development, organizational development, and instructional technology.

Admission

The Department of Human Resource Education carefully considers all applicants for graduate study. The quality of the applicant’s undergraduate and graduate training and grade point average are primary considerations. Other important factors evaluated include the three letters of recommendation and statement of purpose. International applicants must submit a TOEFL score. The minimum department TOEFL requirement is 96 on the Internet-based test. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores obtained in the last four years are required for all doctoral candidates.

Off-Campus Programs

Human Resource Education Online (HRE Online) offers innovative instructional programs that use the Internet and a variety of online technologies to provide quality learning in a collaborative environment. Through HRE Online, students can take advantage of readily accessible online instruction offered worldwide.

The online master’s degree that focuses on global human resource development (Global HRD) enables students to complete a master’s degree from home or work, thus saving the time and expense normally associated with traveling to and from class. The program is designed to provide both individual and group interaction with the instructor and places a strong emphasis on self-directed learning. Customized programs leading to a Master of Education degree with a focus on Global HRD are offered nationally and internationally. Examples include special programs in Kenya, Poland, Korea, and Thailand.

The graduate curriculum which focuses on community college leadership also offers an online sequence of professional development courses to support excellence in community college teaching and learning. Through the Master of Education degree with emphasis on "Teaching and Learning in the Community College" (CCTL Online), the Internet and online technologies combine to enable community college faculty and administrators to design, implement, and evaluate quality instruction within the community college system in Illinois and the nation.

Degree Programs

The Master of Education (Ed.M.) degree is designed to meet the academic and professional interests of people working in education-related fields (e.g., instruction, instructional design, learning technologies, evaluation). Students who satisfactorily complete a minimum of 36 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree earn the Ed.M. degree.

The Joint HRE/MBA degree awards two master's degrees (M.Ed. & M.B.A.) to students who satisfactorily complete 60 semester hours of MBA courses and 36 semester hours of human resource education courses.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs are for students who have research interests in education and may eventually choose to pursue a doctoral degree. The major difference between these degrees and the Ed.M. is the requirement that a master's thesis be completed and defended as part of the degree. Students who satisfactorily complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework and a thesis earn the M.A./M.S. degree.

The Certificate of Advanced Study in Education (C.A.S.) is a terminal degree beyond the master's degree for education professionals. Students who plan to pursue a doctorate at some later time should not apply for the C.A.S. degree because credit earned cannot be applied toward a doctoral degree. Students who satisfactorily complete a minimum of 32 semester hours beyond the master's degree earn the Certificate of Advanced Study degree.

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree is designed to provide students with advanced professional training and to develop their abilities in the scholarly study of professional issues. A total of at least 64 semester hours beyond the master's degree are required. Other degree requirements include a residency requirement, a cognate requirement, completion of two research courses, and satisfactory completion of a dissertation.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is intended to prepare individuals for leadership roles that require the use of tools and concepts of inquiry and analysis in activities such as research, evaluation, and curriculum development. A total of at least 64 semester hours beyond the master's degree are required. Other degree requirements include a residency requirement, a research component, an early research requirement, and satisfactory completion of a dissertation.